visual + sparkle = quinceañera

So I'm starting a new category today, being that I haven't seen very many 'Quinceañera' inspirations around I thought I would start my own for all of those modern and gorgeous soon to be 'señoritas'.

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I'd mentioned before that I had been commissioned to design a Quinceañera invitation for the fall, and I'm just getting started with research on papers and other materials, so I thought I would create a few visual + sparkles to get my, and the young ladies, juices flowing. The colors they've chosen are black and purple, yes, very modern and elegant to have black as a main color for a Quinceañera, but the times are surely changing.

This is my favorite inspiration board. Taking the main colors they chose, I immediately started thinking of Old Hollywood Glam-our, so I completed the palette with a cream, mint, and gray as accent colors. You absolutely have to see this visual + sparkles enlarged, so click on each collage to view in its entirety...there's more to see!

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Here I added a touch of Sweet Girly-ness with the pink paired as well with an off-white a slate color to keep the feel modern and sophisticated...but young.

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And this is a more modern play on the first color palette, turning the saturation up to give it a younger and more playful essence. We'll see which options they choose. I'll for sure keep you posted on the process of this great invitation.

{ Images Via :: Style Me Pretty :: 100 Layer Cake :: Flights of Fancy :: FFFFound :: Trendland :: Flickr :: Fashion Gone Rogue :: The Sweetest Occasion :: MLP :: Carl Bengtsson }

ready for a smile

How can you not crack even a smirk when viewing this?! It's just the perfect pick-me-up for starting the day.

Have a great day and look out for those dancers!!

{ Video Via :: YouTube }

la ballena de jonas

A couple of weeks ago Gabriel and I attended a great concert. His cousin, Jorge, plays in an awesome band called La Ballena de Jonas, and they had the great privilege of playing with the Baja California Orchestra, so when we were invited to attend we knew we were in for an interesting night.

La Ballena is a great fusion of Gypsy rhythms and Mediterranean sounds so when combined with the symphonic melodies of the orchestra you can just imagine...take a listen.

I love the colors they're using in some of there branding...this is a cool illustration and would make a great decal.

This was a sold out event, which was great for the guys, but if you're in the San Diego/Tijuana area on the 28th of August make sure to take the opportunity to see them at the boardwalk in Playas de Tijuana!!

{ Images Via :: La Ballena de Jonas }

she has arrived

Good morning all. Today I have for you a LizzyB creation, something I haven't shared in a while. About a month ago I shared with you some holiday card designs I created for the Minted Holiday Challenge, of which one was inspired by this Birth Announcement I designed for my good friends' new baby, who was born just a week ago.

This was a simple and sophisticated folded card which she could use to place the newborn's image in the space provided inside the scalloped frame. I chose a soft, metallic, rosy color palette for the card and envelope, and accented with light aqua and brown. The script typeface gives it a touch of elegance, yet the sans serif Universe font keeps if modern.

The inside shows the pertinent information surrounded by the same scalloped frame as in the front, with a lined banner serving as a background.

As a small detail in the front, I placed the month and year of her birth beneath the frame.

I also designed a personalized gift wrap using Zoe's, the newborn, initial as a motif and creating a pattern. I played around with placement and color to create interesting shapes.

And here's the wrapped birth announcements. I used the same scalloped frame as a label for a special message for the new parents. Congratulations Jazmine & Christian on your new arrival...a lovely sister to Anette!

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves }

zara {picken} illustrates

It's a new week and I have some great illustration finds via ShareSomeCandy...which I love!!

These unique illustrations come via Zara Picken, a fantastic English illustrator, who describes her work as 'retro-tinted with textured blocks of colour'. Love it!

I'm loving her use of color and texture...something I'm seeing a lot of recently. Very 'retro' as she so describes. And I just noticed the positioning of these stamps...how cool is that?!

I love the top image here of the women's curvy silhouette holding the telephones. Reminds me of 'Joan' from Mad Men (oh Mad Men, I miss you so...).

{ Images Via :: Zara Illustrates }

happy weekend + dining al fresco

Another week come and gone. We're about to start the last week of July and San Diego is still in gloomy, gray weather. Where have the summer days gone? I keep my eyes pasted on these beautiful outdoor dining images to imagine myself sitting under refreshing trees in my outdoor dining area and enjoying a delicious meal 'Al Fresco' with my loved ones. Ahhh...what a great way to spend a warm summer evening!!

Have a great weekend and see you back here on Monday!

{ Images Via :: Haute Design :: Style Me Pretty :: Desire to Inspire }

illustration crush

I just finished submitting another Minted Challenge design and as I was perusing the creations of the other designers I came across Mandy Gordon's cutest illustrations.

I've shared my love of owls before, so when I saw Mandy's colorful owl versions I fell in love. A perfect Valentine's card.

I love her use of bright colors, so in right now with the neons.

And she has a great collection of pattern designs as well. Check out her stationery designs on Minted...perfect for any occasion.

{ Images Via :: Mandy's Creative Situation }